Senior Zone Manager – Gulu, Uganda – ICYD Activity

  • Full-time

Company Description

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world. 

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.    

EDC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.  

Project Description

The goal of the five-year, USAID-funded Integrated Child and Youth Development (ICYD) Activity is for Ugandan children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, to receive the support and services necessary to lead resilient, healthy, and productive lives. The ICYD Activity is expected to achieve the following:

  1. Children and youth have improved learning outcomes;
  2. Children and youth are safe and healthy in their community and learning environments; and
  3. Youth practice positive behaviors and are able to make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

Working in partnership with Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD), district and zonal officials, and other Ugandan government and civil society partners, ICYD will comprise a series of activities to: support improved basic education for Ugandan children; address school-related and gender-based violence; facilitate enhanced child protection and support for vulnerable youth; provide support to HIV-affected orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their caregivers/families; and support HIV care and treatment outcomes in close collaboration with clinical and community structures. ICYD will also contribute to improved systems within the MoES and MGLSD to promote Early Grade Reading (EGR) and child protection.

Job Description

The Senior Zone Manager will be based in Gulu zonal office and will oversee all zonal level staff, supervise project activities in the zone, and liaise with technical and operational teams in the Kampala office, including ICYD’s small grants program and project partners to ensure activities at the zonal level are delivered on time and with high quality. S/he will oversee and be responsible for the effective implementation of all technical components of the project at the zonal level including workplan activity implementation, finance, human resources, and operational support. S/he will be responsible for establishing and maintaining effective relationships and coordination with district-level government officials and partners to the ICYD program, as well as elected officials at all levels within the district. S/he will also establish and maintain close working relationships with other relevant stakeholders in the district including other implementing partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), faith‐based organizations (FBOs) and the private sector. The Senior Zone Manager will report to the Deputy Chief of Party for Programs. This is a full-time position based in Gulu, Uganda.

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

  • Represent the ICYD Activity in the zone, including establishing and maintaining close working relationship with relevant district government and elected counterparts and other stakeholders.
  • Convene quarterly review and reflection and planning meetings and other activities, as needed.
  • Provide overall management, support, and supervision to the zonal staff team.
  • Work closely with other ICYD teams in technical, administration/finance/budgeting/operations and ME&L to ensure effective, smooth, and timely activity implementation at zone, district, community, and school levels.
  • Ensure compliance, quality assurance, coordination, and integration of all ICYD interventions and activities at the zonal level.
  • Conduct regular meetings with zonal staff.
  • Lead in problem-solving/troubleshooting program delivery issues at zonal level as they arise, in close coordination with staff and partners.
  • Contribute to the design and/or completion of technical activities by serving as a resource person, workshop facilitator, technical writer, or lead documenter (as may be assigned).
  • Provide timely inputs to periodic project reports, and outreach and communications activities, as appropriate.
  • Actively participate in Collaborative, Learning and Adapting (CLA) processes in place within the project.
  • Provide regular and timely updates on the status of work plan implementation, identify potential issues, and recommend relevant actions to Senior Leadership team in local head office.
  • Assist the Communication Specialist in ensuring compliance to the USAID marking and branding.
  • Fully comply with all EDC policies and procedures.
  • Other duties, as assigned.

Please Note: Priority in hiring will be given to individuals from the region as understanding of the region is important to success of the role.

Qualifications

The Senior Zone Manager shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in education, health, public policy, management, or related field.
  • A minimum of 7 years’ professional experience in development projects preferably implementing health, HIV, and/or education activities.
  • A minimum of 4 years’ demonstrated experience managing education and/or HIV or OVC programs is strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience working with government agencies, actors, and other stakeholders at the national and zonal levels.
  • Knowledge of/experience with USAID-funded projects.
  • Experience in financial management, including budget development and monitoring.
  • Demonstrated capacity to effectively manage, supervise and monitor teams.
  • Excellent people skills at all levels, ability to work well under pressure, negotiate diplomatically, and the ability to work well in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary work environment.
  • Solid MS Word and MS Excel skills; and effective presentation and reporting skills.
  • Ability to travel throughout the districts of the assigned zone.
  • Demonstrated capacity to lead workshops, trainings, and strategic planning sessions.
  • Fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

Job application closing date: July 1, 2022

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be reviewed.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

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EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This announcement is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this notice are the sole responsibility of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.